News: The Tornadoes swim team went undefeated in its first three meets, and despite being the smallest team in the league, placed seventh in the city swim meet at the Chatham County Aquatic Center. The relay team of Morgan Gaskill, Nolan Von Bruening, Reese Whelan and Vinny Sotille won both the 100 freestyle and 100 medley relays and placed in the top 10 in the 8-and-under age group. Aiden Gaskill won his 10-and-under division by winning most of his events. McKenna Myers won high point for the 11-12 girls age group, edging teammate Madison DuBose. The difference between first and second in that particular age group, coach Whelan said, came down to a single flip turn.

The relay team of Grayson Von Bruening, Michael Sotille, Aiden Gaskill and Grant Jawiyambe placed third in both the 200 freestyle and 200 medley relays. In addition, team captain and assistant coach Nick Buckley placed second in the 15-18 boys division, capping off his summer league swimming career by winning the 50 backstroke.

Two former JEA summer league swimmers, Ryan Salmon and Kelsey Winters, went to the Olympic trials to start off the 2012 SCSL season.

Quote: “All the kids had a great season this year, and it was ... a lot of fun for me as a coach to be able to watch the swimmers excel in the pool,” said head coach Chris Whelan, who completed his 14th year of coaching at the JEA. “Every single one of the world-class athletes we watched on television, and who competed at this year’s Summer Olympics in London, had their start somewhere, many in competitive summer leagues very similar to the Savannah Coastal Swim League. It is great to be a part of such a fine league as this.”